Ocean City May Pursue Open Space Land on Abandoned Properties

Ocean City, NJ -- A proposed ordinance introduced during Thursday night's Ocean City Council meeting would allow Ocean City the right to look into the possibility of open space on 9th Street, but doesn’t necessarily mean the city will acquire the four properties in question, Ocean City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson explained.

“Once you approve this, the mayor can direct me to move forward with negotiations, but we can’t purchase anything until you put the funding in place,” McCrosson told Ocean City Council during its meeting Thursday night at City Hall.

McCrosson said the four properties in question, which are the BP, Exxon and Getty gas stations, and Bud’s Marina, were bundled into one proposed ordinance to help move the process, rather than introduce four duplicate ordinances.

Ocean City Councilmen Keith Hartzell and Michael DeVlieger expressed some concerns about the proposal.

“I have reservations about the Exxon station because I know there is another potential buyer,” Hartzell said. “We have to weigh their rights against the benefits of open space. I’ll vote for it on introduction and look into it a little more before the next meeting.”

DeVlieger also had concerns, but recognized the need for the ordinance.

“More steps need to be taken before we can acquire that property, but putting in place the safeguards on BP and the other three properties makes sense,” DeVlieger said.

Ocean City Council previously approved a proposed ordinance to purchase the BP Gas Station by setting aside $500,000 and borrowing $475,000.

The move is designed to beautify an area often referred to as the “gateway to the city.” The abandoned properties have become an eyesore and may pose certain health and safety hazards.

Last year, City Council gave the city greater power to deal with abandoned properties in the city.

Thursday night’s proposed ordinance was approved on introduction with a 6-0 vote. Council Vice President Anthony Wilson recused himself.

The public hearing and final vote is scheduled for Aug. 25.